It was an eventful draft weekend for the Blue Jackets, and none of that has to do with the actual picks they made. (Which included some intriguing prospects, and we’ll give them their own coverage later this off-season)
Instead, the chatter is not only about a Zach Werenski trade – which had been bubbling up for a week or so – but now also a trade of Kirill Marchenko, whose agent decided to drop that bomb via ESPN’s Kevin Weekes during Friday’s first round broadcast.
This sucks! Let’s just acknowledge that. As CBJ fans we’ve had to endure a lot over the last 25 years. Is this a new hurt? No, we’ve been here before. But the timing is extremely unfortunate. This team has shown improvement over the last two years, and it felt safe to build around a core that included both Werenski and Marchenko. If they want out, what are you left with? How does this change the calculus for the new contract Adam Fantilli is owed this summer?
On the plus side, if Don Waddell sticks to his guns and looks for NHL talent rather than just futures in the trades, this team could still be good. They would just look very different.
I still say the absolute low point for the franchise was 2012. That was when franchise player Rick Nash asked for a trade in the fallout of the Jeff Carter disaster. But, the Nash trade – along with some other savvy moves by Scott Howson – brought in some players that not only took a leap forward in 2013, but were the core of the playoff team in 2014 and beyond. Nash brought back Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, ironically adding the center depth the team never had when Nash was here. Marc Methot begat Nick Foligno. Some draft picks were enough to buy low on Sergei Bobrovsky.
Two of the leading contenders for Werenski that have been rumored are Dallas and Toronto. A Dallas return would be centered around Thomas Harley. He’s no Z, but he’s a good young defender that is locked-in long term. A Toronto return could be centered around Matthew Knies, which would give the much-needed top line winger help we’re looking for. In that case, defensive help could come from the Marchenko trade. What was the huge package Montreal allegedly offered? Could it include Kaiden Guhle? He’s a 24 year old LHD signed for 6 more years at $5.5M AAV.
Anyway, share your thoughts below, and any rumors (with citation!) that you see flying around.